Why Reddit MUST be part of your SEO strategy

and more local search advice

Hello hello,

Care for some local SEO? šŸ‘‡ļø

1. Before you add another video to your GBP, read this

Most businesses are posting videos on their Google Business Profile, but they’re missing a critical detail.

Here’s a simple process that instantly makes your videos more effective on Google:

  1. Upload your video to Instagram or TikTok

  2. Add captions

  3. Download the video

  4. Now upload it to your Google Business Profile

That’s it. You’ll now have a captioned video on your Profile that:

  • provides context because videos on Google Maps don’t play audio by default

  • stands out because moving text is more eye-catching

  • and helps Google’s AI understand your video

Watch me do it here šŸ‘‡ļø

@darrenshawseo

Before you add another video to your Google Business Profile, read this first. Most businesses are posting videos on their Google Business... See more

No TikTok? Watch it on Instagram!

Instead of showing multiple results like Google, AI platforms only show a handful of recommendations. Most businesses don’t get shown at all.

Research from SOCi also found that local data across most AI systems is often inaccurate or inconsistent. Platforms like ChatGPT don’t have a single source of accurate information.

Instead, they pull from multiple sources, which often include outdated or misleading information.

That’s why it’s not surprising that Google’s Gemini was much more accurate for local recommendations than Perplexity and ChatGPT. It has direct access to Google Business Profile and Google Maps data.

So, if you want to get recommended by AI, here’s what actually matters:

  • Strong reviews across multiple review sites (rating, volume, freshness, responses)

  • Mentions on blogs and ā€œBest ofā€ lists

  • Consistent listings (Google Maps, Yelp, Facebook, niche directories)

  • Detailed website content (services, specialties, local relevance)

In order to improve your AI visibility, you still need to build a strong SEO foundation, but you also need to improve your reputation across the web.

Got something to add? Tell me on LinkedIn!

3. How to connect YouTube to Google Maps

You can get YouTube to add a Google Maps button on mobile that links directly to a business’s Google Business Profile. Here’s how šŸ‘‡ļø

Instagram Reel

4. Google is now pulling Reddit threads into GBPs

A new ā€œAbout this placeā€ section is now showing on some Google Business Profiles on desktop, primarily for food and drink businesses. Valentina Vasileva first spotted this section, and when I went to check it out myself, I noticed these Reddit threads.

Google just handed you your local business Reddit strategy. If this were my business, I would make sure my voice is on every one of these threads:

  • If someone has a question, answer it.

  • If someone recommends your business, thank them.

  • Bonus: start engaging on all of the subreddits that Google is referencing on your GBP (and your competitors’ GBPs)

We know Google has been flooding the search results with Reddit, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a direct connection to Google Business Profiles.

Go get your business mentioned on Reddit ASAP!

Why is Google obsessed with Reddit? See my Facebook comments for some ideas.

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Darren

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